Cleansing composition



United States Patent 3,134,738 CLEANSING COMPOSITION Donald C. Wood, Fredonia, Wis., and Carl R. Pacifico, Ellicott City, Md., assignors to Whirlpool Corporation, St. Joseph, Mich, a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Filed Mar. 30, 1960, Ser. No. 18,511 2 Claims. (Cl. 252-106) This invention relates to the treatment of fabrics or fabric-like materials, and more particularly, to a composition and method for cleaning fabrics, rugs, and the like.

Although the instant invention may be useful in the cleaning of a number of dilferent materials, it is particularly useful in the cleaning and conditioning of rugs and will be described primarily in connection with this use. As is well understood, the use of surfactants for the cleaning or other treatment of any type of material is greatly complicated by the vast number of dilferent and not fully understood phenomena which are involved. In the cleaning and treatment of fabrics such as rugs, still additional complications are introduced. For example, it is desirable to treat rugs with a number of different ingredients which are to be retained in the rug and which impart various desirable properties to the rug, particularly with respect to preservation of the appearance in structural character of the material. In addition, it is often desired to clean and treat rugs in place rather than removing the same and treating them in a separate treating tank or other receptacle. The cleaning and'treatment of rugs in place involvesthe use of materials and operating conditions which will not harmfully affect the surrounding environment such as the floor upon which the rug is placed. Although these various additional considerations with respect to the cleaning of rugs may have advantages which are apparent to those skilled in the art, the appreciation of the desirability of such advantages is much less complicated than the discovery of the means for obtaining these advantages without simultaneously obtaining any of a number of undesirable side effects. t

The instant invention is unique in that it providesfor the treatment of rugs or the like fabrics by the use of material which is capable of producing a high relatively dry. foam'and which does not, if used in the desired concentrations and under the preferred operating conditions, pass through the rug to the floor in such-a way as to harmfully affect the floor or other adjacent portions of the room wherein the rug is to be cleaned. The instant composition affords a further advantage that it is compatible with other agents such as light filter ingredients which protect the rug against deterioration caused by light,.optical brighteners which tend to protect the appearance of the rug from deterioration or fading, and insecticides or pesticides which prevent against attack of the rugs by moths or the like. Theinstant composition is capable of carrying out the necessary cleansing and conditioning function while at the same time permitting the rug to retan desired additional conditioning materials such as the light absorbers, brighteners pes ticides or the like just mentioned.

It is, therefore, an important object of the instant invention to provide an improved cleansing and conditioning agent and method for the treatment of fabrics, rugs or the like.

It is a further object of the instant invention to provide an improved cleansing composition for fabrics, rugs and the like, comprising an aqueoussystem containing 2 to 25 weight percent of a C -C alkyl dimethyl amine acetate, 0.5 to weight percent of a water-soluble poly-(C C alkylene glycol, and 0.05 to 4 weight percent of a material that is substantially opaque toultra- 3,134,738 Patented May 26, 1964 ice violet light of 3000 to 4000 A. and which fluoresces blue light in response to excitation by ultraviolet light.

Still another object of the instant invention is to provide an improved method for treating a rug that comprises washing the rug with a diluted concentrate, said concentrate comprising an aqueous system containing 2 to 25 weight percent of a C -C alkyl dimethyl amine acetate, 0.5 to 5 weight percent of a water-soluble poly-(C -C alkylene glycol, and 0.05 to 4 weight percent of a material that is substantially opaque to ultraviolet light of 3000 to 4000 A. and which fluoresces blue light in response to excitation by ultraviolet light.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description thereof.

The instant invention consists in a cleansing composition for-fabrics, rugs and the like, comprising an aqueous system containing 2 to 25 weight percent of a C -C alkyl dimethyl amine acetate, 0.5 to 5 weight percent of a water-soluble poly-(C C alkylene glycol, 0.05 to 5 Weight percent of a moth-proofing agent, and 0.05 to 4 weight percent of a material which absorbs ultraviolet light and emits blue light; and a method of using such composition that comprises diluting the same with water and washing a rug or similar fabric therewith.

One of the essential ingredients which is used in the practice of the instant invention is a C C alkyl dimethyl amine acetate. It has been found that this material, in the environment of its use in the cleansing of rugs or similar fabrics, is capable of producing a high relatively dry foam. This material has been found to exhibit unusually satisfactory cleansing properties when used in conjunction with the other materials herein described as essential to the invention; and it has been found that this amine acetate ingredient possesses unusual germistatic or germicidal properties, under the conditions of its use, such that it has been found to exhibit particularly satisfactory growth inhibition of a representative spectrum of organisms, including Staphylococcus aureous, Bacillus sublilis, var. niger, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, and Aspergz'llus niger.

As will be appreciated, in the commercial use of cleansing compositions, it was necessary not only to provide a composition which is capable of carrying out its necessary cleansing and conditioning treatment in the use contemplated, but which is also capable of packaging in a commercially satisfactory, marketable package. In this respect, cleasing compositions are ordinarily marketed and packaged in the form of concentrates which are diluted by the ultimate user to the desired concentration for the final use in, for example, cleasing a rug. It is not practical to sell most cleansing compositions diluted to the extent required for ultimate final use. On the other hand, if a composition in its concentrated form is not a generally homogeneous system which can be readily diluted, it is often not marketable. In other words, if the concentrate tends to exhibit separation of solid particles, or even the separation into separate layers of liquid material, the purchaser will find that this is undesirable, because he may not fully understand the nature of the product, may not wish to attempt to mix the product, or may be generally confused by anything but the simplest type of instructions. In contrast, the instant composition has the unusual and particularly desirable property of being marketable in concentrate form and being easily diluted to the desired concentration for ihial use merely by following the simplest of instructions. In the concentrate, the composition is that of an essentially aqueous system. In this aqueous system the instant C C alkyl dimethyl amine acetate is dissolved in a minimum practical concentration of approximately 2% to a maximum practical concentration of approximately 25%. As used herein,

the terms parts and percent mean parts and percent by weight, unless otherwise designated. Preferably, the concentration of the alkyl dimethyl amine acetate in the instant concentrate or marketable cleasing composition is approximately to and the best results are obtained using approximately 12%. The preferred alkyl dimethyl amine acetate for use in the practice of the instant invention is lauryl dimethyl amine acetate and this material has been found to give particularly good results in the cleansing and conditioning of rugs.

Another essential ingredient in the composition of the instant invention is a polyglycol. The polyglycol is a poly-(C C alkylene glycol, i.e., a polyethylene or a polypropylene or a polyethylene-propylene glycol. The polyglycol ingredient is, of course, functional to some extent as a non-ionic; and, in addition, its essential function in the practice of the instant invention involves that of a solvent coupler, in that it is capable of solubilizing various other materials used in the instant composition in Water. Such other materials are essentially waterinsoluble, but in the presence of the polyglycol coupling agent these materials become soluble or readily dispersible in the aqueous system. The polyglycol itself is, of course, a water-soluble polyglycol and to this extent its maximum molecular weight is limited. Preferably, the maximum molecular weight does not exceed about 600, and the best results are obtained using a polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of approximately 400.

As previously mentioned, the polyglycol is used in the practice of the instant invention for its cooperation with the alkyl dimethyl amine acetate in carrying out the function of cleansing and conditioning and additionally for its coupling function in that it retains various other substantially water-insoluble additives in solution or dispersion in the concentrate form of the composition as well as in the diluted form ultimately used by the end user in the cleansing and conditioning of a rug. For this purpose, it has been found that the polyglycol should be used in the concentrate in amounts ranging from a practical minimum of about 0.5% to a practical maximum of about 5%. Preferably, the concentration is in the range of about 1% to about 3% and the material used is a water-soluble polyethylene glycol.

Another material of extreme importance in the practice of the instant invention is a material which is to be used primarily for conditioning of the rug and protection of the same against deterioration and/or fading. This material may be a single material or it may be composed of a plurality of materials which, in combination, carry out two essential functions. One of these functions is the protection of the rug against deterioration by light and the other of these functions is to impart a brightness to the rug that tends to overcome or counterbalance the natural tendency of rugs or similar fabrics to yellow upon aging. In general, it is believed that ultraviolet light in the wavelength of about 3000 to about 4000 A. (i.e., Angstrom units) may cause such deterioration and/or fading; accordingly, such material is preferably substantially opaque to ultraviolet light of 3000 to 4000 A. In addition, it is well known that a material which appears yellow to the eye is actually a material which is capable of reflecting the yellow light of the spectrum to which it is exposed, but which tends to absorb some of the blue light of a white light spectrum such as that of the sun. Accordingly, commercial optical brighteners are available for the purpose of fluorescing blue light in response to excitation by light of a lower wavelength, such as ultraviolet light. In essence, the material employed in the practice of the instant invention may thus be one or more substances (used in combination) which are capable of carrying out the functions of being substantially opaque to ultraviolet light of 3000 to 4000 A. and being capable of fluorescing blue light in response to excitation by light of a lower wavelength. As will be appreciated, optical brighteners which actually absorb ultraviolet light (and transform the same to the lower wavelength blue light) and emit blue light are capable of carrying out this dual function, and a typical material of this type is a compound of the chemical class of 4,4'-dibenzoyl diamine stilbene 2,2- disulfonic acid. But it has been found preferable to employ materials of this type in combination with a material that is essentially non-fluorescing in character which is primarily an ultraviolet light absorber, such a substance is 2,2-dihydroxy 4 methoxybenzophenone, which has been found to be preferred for use in the practice of the instant invention.

In the concentrate of the instant invention, the amount of ultraviolet light absorbing and blue light fluorescing substance may range from a practical minimum of about 0.05% to a practical maximum of about 4% of the concentrate. As indicated previously, it is preferred to have this material composed of two substances, one of which is primarily an ultraviolet light absorber and the other of which is primarily a blue light fluorescing material. In this way it is possible to adjust the extent of blue light fluorescence independent of the extent of ultraviolet light absorbing function. The instant invention provides a composition wherein these two functions may be carried out independently of one another, by the use of materials which are compatible with one another and which are made compatible with the overall composition to a substantial extent by virtue of the polyglycol coupling agent. The ultraviolet light absorbers and the blue fluorescing substances (as well as materials capable of carrying out both such functions alone) are essentially water-insoluble materials which are made soluble or dispersible in the aqueous system of the instant invention by virtue of the presence of the polyglycol ingredient.

In the practice of the instant invention the substance used which is primarily an ultraviolet light absorber is preferably used in concentrations within the range of 0.05 to 2% of the concentrate, and the best results are obtained using 0.1% of an ultraviolet light absorber such as 2,2- dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone. The substance used to fluoresce blue light in the practice of the instant invention is preferably used in a concentration of 0.05 to 2%, and best results are obtained if this substance is 4,4- dibenzoyl diamine stilbene 2,2'-disulfonic acid used in a concentration of 0.1%.

Another ingredient which is preferred for use in the practice of the instant invention is a moth-proofing agent. Preferably this material is a chlorinated moth-proofing agent selected from the class consisting of dichloro-benzyltriphenyl and pentachloro-dihydroxy-triphenylmethane sodium sulfonate. Such materials are used in concentrations ranging from a practical minimum of about 0.05% to a practical maximum of about 5%, and the preferred concentration is 0.5%

A preferred formulation for use in the practice of the instant invention is as follows:

Percent Lauryl dimethyl amine acetate 12 Polyethylene glycol (average molecular weight about Light absorber (2,2-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone) 0.1 Optical brightener (4,4'-dibenzoyl diamine stilbene 2,

2.-disulfonic acid) 0.1 Moth-proofing agent (dichloro-benzyltriphenyl) 0.5 Water (remainder) 85.3

It has also been found that a particularly suitable concentrate is formed by replacing the above mentioned moth-proofing agent with an equal quantity of pentachloro-dihydroxytriphenyhnethane sodium sulfonate.

In formulating the concentrate the lauryl dimethyl amine acetate is diluted with the predetermined amount of water already specified in order to obtain approximately a 12% aqueous solution of the lauryl dimethyl amine acetate, by the use of a slow speed agitator in a suitable tank, the agitation being slow to prevent foaming. Next, in a separate tank of small capacity with a high speed agitator (either vortex or blade shearing impellers), the polyethylene glycol, ultraviolet light absorber, optical brightener, mothproofing agent and, optionally, perfume are blended to gether until a solution is formed. The solution formed in the tank of small capacity is then blended with the aqueous lauryl dimethyl amine acetate to give the final product, which is filtered and bottled in the usual manner.

The concentrate thus formed is in marketable condition and is thus sold to the ultimate user. The ultimate user is instructed to add approximately 15 cc. of the concentrate to a pint of water to form a solution which will be found to be sufiicient to cleanse and condition two feet by feet rugs, or an equivalent area of carpet. It will thus be seen that the concentrate is preferably diluted some 10 to 50 times by water, with the best results being obtained by diluting the concentrate 30 times (i.e., volumes) by water.

Although we have described the use of the alkyl dimethyl amine acetate in conjunction with other agents to obtain a superior result, it will be appreciated that this cleansing agent (e.g., lauryl dimethyl amine acetate) may be used in the absence of such other agents, although diluted in water to the extent already described for the composition, in the cleansing of rugs to obtain unusual results. The alkyl dimethyl amine acetate, when used alone, is diluted in water to concentrations within the range of about 0.1% to about 2% (preferably, about 0.5%) to obtain a superior composition for cleansing rugs.

A particularly unique feature of the instant alkyl dimethyl amine acetate cleansing agent (when used alone or in conjunction with the other agents herein described) resides in the fact that this cleansing agent possesses unusual anti-static and anti-soiling characteristics. Although it is not desired to limit the invention to any particular theory, it is believed that the instant cleansing agent tends to develop a positive (static) charge. Wool and the like fibers of conventional rugs tend to develop negative (static) charges which, in the practice of the instant invention, apparently attract the positively charged alkyl dimethyl amine acetate which, in turn, tends to diminish or even neutralize the negative charge of the rug fibers during cleansing thereof. This action by the cleansing agent (which may even result in a final positive charge in the rug if a sufficient amount of cleansing agent is used) tends to overcome a natural attraction between the rug fibers and soil or dust particles which are usually positively charged.

Although we have made specific reference only to 4,4- dibenzoyl diamine stilbene 2,2-disulfonic acid as an example of the compound used in the practice of the instant invention which fiuoresces blue light in response to excitation by light of lower wavelength, we may use any salts of this compound or any of the closely related compounds more fully disclosed in Savidge US. Patent No. 2,643,197, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein and made a part hereof.

For this purpose, also, we may use the compounds disclosed in Savidge U.S. Patent No. 2,643,198 and Adams US. Patent No. 2,667,458, the disclosures of which are also incorporated herein by reference. Each of these compounds is a typical optical brightener or sometimes called optical bleach which fluoresces light to compensate for the natural yellowing which tends to take place in the case of fabrics. In addition, each of these compounds is characterized by a diamino stilbene disulfonic acid base.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A cleansing composition for fabrics and rugs, consisting essentially of 12 Weight percent of lauryl dimethyl amine acetate, 2 weight percent of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of substantially 400, 0.5 Weight percent of a chlorinated moth-proofing agent selected from the class consisting of dichloro-benzyl triphenyl and pentachloro-dihydroXy-triphenylmethane sodium sulfonate, 0.1 weight percent of 2,2-dihydroxy-4- methoxybenzophenone, 0.1 Weight percent of 4,4'-dibenzoyl diamine stilbene 2,2'-disulfonic acid, and remainder substantially water.

2. A cleansing composition for fabrics and rugs, consisting essentially of 12 Weight percent of lauryl dimethyl amine acetate, 2 weight percent of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of substantially 400, 0.5 Weight percent of dichloro-benzyl-triphenyl and, 0.1 weight percent of 4,4'-dibenzoyl diamine stilbene 2,2'-disulfonic acid, and remainder substantially water.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,267,617 Mitchell Dec. 23, 1941 2,281,624 Schussler et al. May 5, 1942 2,643,197 Savidge et al June 23, 1953 2,777,828 Day et al Jan. 15, 1957 2,809,159 Welles et al. Oct. 8, 1957 9,925,639 La Fleur Feb. 23, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 722,685 Great Britain Jan. 26, 1955 

1. A CLEANSING COMPOSITION FOR FABRICS AND RUGS, CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF 12 WEIGHT PERCENT OF LAURYL DIMETHYL AMINE ACETATE, 2 WEIGHT PERCENT OF POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL HAVING AN AVERAGE MOLECULAR WEIGHT OF SUBSTANTIALLY 400, 0.5 WEIGHT PERCENT OF A CHLORINATED MOTH-PROOFING AGENT SELECTED FROM THE CLASS CONSISTING OF DICHLORO-BENZYL TRIPHENYL AND PENTACHLORO-DIHYDROXY-TRIPHENYLMETHANE SODIUM SULFONATE, 0.1 WEIGHT PERCENT OF 2,2''-DIHYDROXY-4METHOXYBENZOPHENONE, 0.1 WEIGHT PERCENT OF 4,4''-DIBENZOYL DIAMINE STIBENE 2,2''-DISULFONIC ACID, AND REMAINDER SUBSTANTIALLY WATER. 